Human Endophthalmitis Caused By Pseudorabies Virus Infection, China, 2017.

We report human endophthalmitis caused by pseudorabies virus infection after exposure to sewage on a hog farm in China. High-throughput sequencing and real-time PCR of vitreous humor showed pseudorabies virus sequences. This case showed that pseudorabies virus might infect humans after direct contact with contaminants.

Frederick, Duke of York (1763-1827) - Medical Patron.

Frederick, Duke of York, was the hardest working prince of his day. He was Commander-in-Chief of the British Army for almost the entire period of the French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars and he used his position to implement important reforms to benefit the health of troops. He encouraged hygiene initiatives and improved medical treatment, steadily seeking to enhance the quality of medical officers and facilities. Frederick was particularly involved in the spread of vaccination, authorising the very earliest clinical trials of the process and doing all he could to promote the practice. He also played an active role in the fight to prevent and treat the ophthalmia that was decimating the British Army. As the favourite son of George III and ultimately his carer, he developed an interest in mental health and he sponsored the pioneering work of Alexander Morison (1779-1866) to expand understanding of the subject. Although not a medical man himself, Frederick was one of the most important patrons of the day and his efforts were the key to enabling others to make important advances that saved thousands of lives.

Dr. José de Jesus González [1874-1933]: un oftalmológico humanista / Doctor José de Jesus González [1874-1933]: an ophthalmological humanist

El Dr. José de Jesus González ilustre médico oftalmológico ejerció la medicina en León, Guanajuato a principios del siglo XX. Trabajó intensamente para previnir la ceguera provocada por la oftalmía purulenta [primera causa de ceguera en México]. Publicó un libro jubilar al cumplir 25 años de su titulación como médico, trata de una recopilación de artículos sobre aftalmología y neurología. Así mismo publicó un libro sobre higiene visual escolar, por el cual se hizo acreedor a una medalla en la Feria Iberoamericana de Sevilla [1929-1930]. Poeta, pintor y promotor de la cultura en la ciudad de León Guanajuato, México. [AU]

[A tribute to Manoel da Gama Lobo (1835-1883), pioneer in the epidemiology of vitamin A deficiency in Brazil]. / Tributo a Manoel da Gama Lobo (1835-1883), pioneiro na epidemiologia da deficiência de vitamina A no Brasil.

This analysis of the contributions of Manoel da Gama Lobo (physician born in Pará), to the epidemiology of vitamin A deficiency in Brazil focuses primarily on "Da oftalmia brasiliana" [On Brazilian ophthalmia], originally published in 1865. An analysis of Gama Lobo's academic trajectory, and especially of this work, points up the tight ties between the scientist and doctors within the Escola de Medicina Tropicalista Baiana. Although one cannot claim that Gama Lobo was a proponent of the ideas of the abolitionist movement, some passages of "Da oftalmia brasiliana" lead us to recognize this scientist at the very least as an advocate of Brazilian slaves' human right to food.

[The 'Veenhuizen ophthalmia']. / De 'Veenhuizensche oogziekte'.

In 1860 the institutions of the former Society of Welfare in Veenhuizen, the Netherlands, which had been taken over by the state, were struck by a mysterious eye disease. More than 5000 orphans and former beggars lived and worked in these institutions. The Minister of the Interior ordered an inquiry by the ophthalmologist Herman Snellen (1834-1908). He reported that the inmates slept in close proximity to one another and had to share dishes and towels. There was no clean water for washing or drinking. 788 (15%) people were found to be suffering from trachoma. On Snellen's advice, a start on improving the standards of hygiene was made but no more was done. The real reduction in prevalence came around 1900 and was probably connected with a reduction of the number of inmates and improvements in hygiene.

Didymus the blind: an unknown precursor of Louis Braille and Helen Keller.

The present study presents the case of Didymus the Blind, worthy author, philosopher and theologian of the 4th century AD. Blinded by ophthalmia at the age of four years, Didymus succeeded in achieving great learning in the philosophical and natural sciences. He began his education by using a system which was remarkably like Braille, that is reading letters engraved into the surface of wood by touch and subsequently furthering his knowledge by listening. This learning process of Didymus the Blind appears as the precursor of Louis Braille who invented the educational system of reading embossed dots by touch. Like Didymus, Braille lost his vision in infancy (at three years of age). Another parallel of Didymus' career and written works is found in the example and achievements of Helen Keller.

[Larrey and Egyptian ophthalmia]. / Larrey et l'ophtalmie d'Egypte.

During the napoleonic expedition to Egypt (1798-1801), a new ophthalmic disease, the "egyptian ophthalmia", was discovered by the french physicians. We analysed a contemporary study published by the surgeon Jean-Dominique Larrey. The accuracy of the clinical description enables us to suggest hypotheses upon the origin if the egyptian ophthalmia: Weeks' conjunctivitis, gonorrheal conjunctivitis, trachoma. Treatments are also reviewed. Larrey is to be seen as a symbol of the transition from the old medical vision to modern clinical medicine.

John Vetch and the Egyptian ophthalmia.

During the Napoleonic Wars from 1798-1815, severe epidemics of keratoconjunctivitis affected the military and civilian populations of Western Europe. This disease was known as the Egyptian ophthalmia because it was first described in troops stationed in Egypt. Most physicians believed this condition was not infectious, but caused by various climatological factors. John Vetch, a British physician, emphasized that this disease was spread by direct conveyance of pus from the diseased to the healthy eye. His insistence that the ophthalmia was contagious, and his suggestions for prevention and treatment were milestones in the history of ophthalmology.